Blog Hog: Anything Happening Out There?

Please, please, please go to this Boston Globe link showing a day in the life of Shaq in Boston. Oh my gosh, it's a comedy. So good.

Well, we blew a game or two against Tampa Bay. Eh. Varitek is close to a rehab assignment. Manny got ejected in his last at-bat with the Dodgers, going out with flair. He's too much. So now the White Sox get to have him. Oh, poor things. Ha! And the Roger Clemens saga ... I'll pass.

What else is going on? Nothing. What's left, about a week before NFL kick-off?

Roxy


Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters

No Re-Entry

That was the saddest story you wrote about in your last posting, Dear Criss. I hope Morrison's dad gets to live a long life and surprises everyone! As for those Marlins, they better start using that money to pay for their own projects! How about they use all that money to by Morrison's dad a PLANE TICKET instead of letting him take the train?

And Johnny Damon ... I'm sick of this story. I thought about how nice that would be, erasing those years at the Yankees, maybe. But nope. He doesn't want to go back. Well, I guess he has a right to do as he wishes, but I don't think this helps his case among the Boston fans. Oh well.

This Red Sox season has been a disaster. Sources say that Pedroia may be out for the rest of the season. And that makes me worry more about Varitek. You know what? They shouldn't bother to come back to a clearly disastrous season. Forget it. Don't injure yourselves more.

Roxy


Photo: More by Roxy

Who are you to raise your finger?

Spare me with all of those Fenway stories, Dear Roxy! I think you ran out of picture space on your blog, too.

The Yankees and Rays are tied... again! The Yankees can't seem to run away with the East. The pesky Rays are always there... swimming, waiting to sting themselves into first place. Ha!

And what a wonderful and just as as sad story for the Marlins' Logan Morrison. Hopefully his dad will have plenty more opportunities of watching his son play with the big boys. Good job so far...

And speaking of the Marlins, did we just get stuck with a bill its owners could've very well paid? Oh boy.

Rox, not even Johnny Damon wants to play for the Red Sox! Ha, guess his time there wasn't as memorable as one would've thought.

-Criss

PS Canes play one week from today!!!

Kathy Willens, AP

Perfect Day at Fenway

So you're a better friend than me? Ha! Perhaps true. Not one Yankees picture? Maybe you weren't feeling good. Well, I'm back and ready to talk Red Sox!

I absolutely loved my time at Fenway. The game went by too quickly. We had excellent seats; we were so excited. Everyone was very nice; it was almost like a spring training game. I got to hear "Sweet Caroline" and "Dirty Water." And if I heard "Dirty Water," it means we won. Thank goodness, because I didn't go up there to lose. It was Pedroia's first game back, and it happened to be his birthday. And although Varitek did not play, I spotted him in the dugout, so all was fine.

In other baseball news, I can't believe Lou Piniella is retiring. That tough exterior seems to have a soft, kind heart, especially for his mother who is not doing well. The Boston Globe quoted him saying, "Family is important, it comes first. My mom needs me home and that's where I'm going."

Football? I'm excited that Brett Favre is coming back, and I hope he can win it all this year.

Roxy


Photos by Roxy!

Sports, anyone?

I have been so out of the loop as far as sports is concerned, I'm starting to think I'm in between football and baseball season, Dear Roxy.

I know the Yankees are one game ahead of the Rays. I also know you're in Boston and I'm suppose to be bombarding you with Yankees pictures but I'm not. I am now a better friend than you.

As you may or may not remember, I went to Chicago last weekend. I did a bit of a drive by U.S. Cellular Field, Soldier Field, and of course Wrigley Field. What a great city during the summer. And I happened to go during the Air & Water Show.

The Dolphins won their first preseason game. Rox, does this mean we'll have a good season? Here's to hoping!

-Criss

Staying Alive (or Trying)

Oh my gosh, you turned the blog into a Yankees shrine! Geez, just light a candle. Look, we split the series, so don't start feeling like you swept or something.

Me, on the other hand, well, I'm angry. I'm upset that we always have to deal with the uncertainty of Papelbon. Actually, it's more like the certainty that he'll blow the game (Toronto), and a surprise if he closes it successfully (can't remember a recent example to insert here). Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe wrote, "You’re thinking it. A lot of people are thinking it. But can you do it? Can the Red Sox replace Jonathan Papelbon with Daniel Bard as their closer?"

The answer is, "Yes." I like what I see in Bard.

On lighter news, my Dusty may make a comeback in time for my big game. Bad news: Varitek will not be ready. Why is he so elusive?!!?!?!?! Stop laughing, Dear Criss. I can hear you cackling. And Yooouk? Well, his season's over.

And I just had to put up a picture of Shaq in a bow tie.

You're gonna have to hold down the fort next week. Don't go crazy.

Roxy


Photo: Brian Snyder, Reuters

Getting it done

First off, congratulations to Derek Jeter for surpassing Babe Ruth in the all-time hits list with number 2,874... and in front of the Red Sox! One of many milestones to come (hopefully).

And how about our wonder boy Dustin Moseley? What a great outing by Moseley, who on his way to the game, had no idea he would be starting the game and against the Red Sox to top it off! He came through huge!

And with last night's thriller win, the Yankees lead is back to 1.5 thanks to the little skid the Rays find themselves in. Come on Yankees... run away with it!

BTW, congrats to ARod as well on his 300th stolen base. Arod, Mays and Bonds are the only men with 600 homeruns and 300 stolen bases.

In other sports.... hmmm...

-Criss

Photos: Al Bello & Kathy Willens

His Mark in History

Wow, there’s just so much to talk about, Dear Criss, but first let’s talk football — more specifically Jerry Rice. How can you not love him. All that video footage brought back so many memories. I'm so proud of him making it into the Hall of Fame. He deserves it and has a work ethic nobody can beat. Steve and Joe were there. Eddie DeBartolo presented him. It was an emotional evening. Congrats to Emmitt Smith, too, who brought a lot of misery to the Niners.

Now Shaq is a part of the Celtics?! Oh brother. It's gonna be a funny season. Wes Welker is practicing, Brett Favre is still keeping us waiting, and this Red Sox-Yankees series is driving me nuts. (I'm not about to get into A-Rod and his asterisk.)

Roxy

Photo: Getty Images

600

After what seemed an eternity, Alex Rodriguez became the youngest member of the 600 Club, Dear Roxy. I know that like me, you've been waiting patiently for 12 days between 599 and 600. I wish ARod would've hold on until the Red Sox series this weekend to belt it out. I mean, what's two more days, right?

With this 600 behind us, can we please get back into first place? I know the Rays have a great time, but so do we. Let's get to it!

What else is happening in the world of sports? Oh yes, football is here. Sorta. Players are starting to report to camp.

Have I really been away that long? Here's what happened. My dog ate my password.

Speaking of dogs -

Rest in peace, Muñeco. May you be happy in doggy heaven.

I will truly miss you and your barking :(

-Criss

Kathy Willens, AP

Super-Duper Blog Hog: New Faces & Old Favorites

Well, it looks like bringing up Ryan Kalish was an excellent decision this Saturday. His first professional game, and he's saving us from losing. Then there was Big Papi with his end of game heroics, just like the old days. It felt so good. The end of the game was such a happy mess with so much happening on the field, but it was so much fun! Then yesterday, Scutaro helps us with a walk-off bunt? Who knew that existed. Ha!

Oh, yes, and we acquired Jarrod Saltalamacchia. If he becomes a full-time guy someday, I dread having to learn how to spell that.

Hey, Dear Criss, I'm not crying about missing out on Yankees news, but what are you doing?

Roxy


Photo: Getty Images, Elsa